Jubilo Iwata ended the Kashima Antlers' chances of repeating a domestic league and cup treble by holding the J. League leaders to a 0-0 draw in the second leg of the Nabisco Cup semifinals Wednesday night.
Iwata, a 1-0 winner at home in the first leg, will face Yokohama F. Marinos, who also won by the same aggregate scoreline after playing out a goalless draw at home to Nagoya Grampus Eight, in the final later this month.
In torrential rain at Kashima Stadium, J. League first-stage winner Iwata seemed content to sit on its one-goal advantage and frustrated the Nabisco defending champions, who had Brazilian defender Augusto sent off for a serious foul on the stroke of halftime.
Japan hopeful Masashi Motoyama and Yoshiyuki Hasegawa came on midway through the second half to boost Kashima's attack, but neither were able to find the breakthrough as Iwata held on for the draw.
In equally difficult playing conditions at Mitsuzawa Stadium in Yokohama, Portsmouth-bound goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi made a number of superb saves to keep Nagoya at bay as Yokohama advanced to its first-ever Nabisco Cup final.
Kawaguchi hopes to make his debut for English First Division side Portsmouth at home to Preston North End on Oct. 27, the same day as the Nabisco Cup final at Tokyo's National Stadium.